Measuring pole



Feb. 25, 1941. J a MAHER 2,232,824

MEASURING POLE Filed March 23, 1940 2 sheets sheet 1 A iiorney Feb. 25, 1941'.

.1; B. MAHER 2,232,824

MEASURING POLE Filed March 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LMM Illllllllllllllllill Inventor JOZ/mfi flake/ By 2mm Attorney Patented Feb. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to measuring instruments generally, and more particularly to measuring poles to be used in the place and stead of the generally known wood ten-foot pole now used by carpenters in laying out openings, obtaining inside measurements, lengths of studding, trims and ceiling heights.

An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring pole which will not only meet the requirements of uses above enumerated, but which will also be found as a handy instrument for plumbers and electricians.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pole which can be collapsed to a relatively small compact so as to be readily handled and carried in ones tool kit.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure l is an elevational View of the pole in collapsed or retracted condition.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pole in fully extended condition.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the pole in extended condition.

Figure e is a plan view of one of the pole sections.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through the pole, in collapsed condition, and showin the manner of securing the sections of the pole in retracted condition.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken through the outermost pole at the hook-equipped end of the latter.

Figure 7 is a sectional view through the innermost pole.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a spring hook forming part of the invention, and

Figure 9 is a plan view of a graduated pole section.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that in the preferred embodiment thereof the measuring pole comprises a plurality, in the present instance four tubular telescoping pole sections 5, 6, I and 8, respectively, of substantially equal lengths.

Pole section I is provided with a longitudinal serial of graduations 8, the graduations being in terms of inches and the scale reading from 1 to 30 inches as shown in Figure 9.

Pole section 6, telescopically receiving pole section 1, is provided at one end thereof with a collar 9 and a set screw II] that threads through the collar and the pole section 6 for binding engagement with the section I for securing the sections 6 and I at the desired position of adjustment relative to one another.

Pole section 5 has a sliding fit on pole section 6 and at one end thereof is provided with a 5 collar II to which is secured as at 12 one end of a spring latch member l3, the latch member I3 having a substantially U-shaped head [3a that merges into a finger-piece I4 to facilitate flexing the latch to a position permitting free 1 sliding movement of the sections 5 and 6 relative to one another.

To accommodate the head of the latch I3a, pole section B is provided with a series of predeterminedly spaced slots [5 through the medium of which and the latch l3 pole sections 5 and 6 may be positively secured in any one of three relative positions of adjustment.

The pole section 1 at one end thereof is also provided with a collar I6 to which is secured a latch ll substantially identical with the hereinbefore described latch I3, and which is cooperable with a selected one of a series of predeterminedly spaced slots l8 in the pole section 8 for securing sections 1 and 8 in any one of several selected positions of adjustment.

At its free or outer end the pole section 8 has threaded thereinto a stud or pin [9 provided with a head 20 that serves as an abutment head for abutting the collar-equipped end of the tube section I.

Suitably secured in the free end of the tube section 5 is a block 2| to which is anchored an angular spring hook member 22, as at 23.

The block 2| has a tapered portion to accommodate the intermediate portion of the hook 22 while the tube 5 at the block-equipped end thereof is provided with a slot 24 through which the free extremity of the hook 22 extends to engage over the article or material being measured through the medium of the pole.

From the above it will be apparent that the several sections may be readily positioned relative to one another for varying the length of the pole within a wide range of adjustment.

As will be apparent, when all of the sections of the pole are nested so that the pole is in a complete retracted condition notch l6 will serve to hold the tube section 8 retracted within the tube section I, While screw I0 will serve to hold the section I retracted within the tube section 6, and notch M will serve to hold the tube section 6 retracted within the tube section 5, the appearance of the complete pole, when fully retracted being as shown in Figure 1.

It will also be apparent that practically any selected section may be readily shifted relative to its telescoping or telescoped section to the end that the length of the pole may be increased or decreased as found desirable or as expedient in taking any particular measurement of any article, object or material.

It is thought that the many uses to which a measuring pole, embodying the features of the present invention, may be put are sufliciently evident to those skilled in the art as to need no additional enumeration herein; and that the invention together with its objects and advantages will be fully appreciated and understood without further detailed description thereof.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A measuring pole comprising a plurality of telescoping sections including an intermediate section provided with a longitudinal scale graduated in terms of inches, said scale equipped section provided adjacent one end thereof with a latch for engaging a selected one of a series of predeterminedly spaced notches in a section telescoped by said graduated section; a third section telescoping said graduated section and equipped at one end thereof with a set screw for binding engagement with the scale-equipped section, a fourth section telescoping said third section and provided adjacent one end thereof with a latch member engageable in a selected one of a series of notches in said third section for securing said third and fourth sections in any one of several selected positions of adjustment relative to one another each latch being of spring construction to automatically engage a notch when the latch comes over a notch and all the sections, excepting said intermediate section having plain exteriors and of a known length.

2. In a measuring pole having a notch at one end thereof, a spring member fastened in said end at one end of the spring and having its other end passing through the notch and forming a hook projecting from the notched side of said end of the pole and said projecting portion normally lying in a plane with its inner face flush with said end of the pole and said spring member moving into the notch when said end of the pole is pressed against an object.

JOHN B. MAHER. 

